The Matildas, Australia’s national women’s soccer team, have taken the world by storm with their dedication, teamwork and impressive skills which have inspired school kids across the country. Beyond the goals and saves, the recent Women’s World Cup has provided a number of incredibly valuable lessons as Australians are encouraged to celebrate women’s sport, break barriers when it comes to athleticism and competitive spirit and inspire a generation of young girls to dream big. So, here’s what your student athlete can learn from the Matildas.

Goal Setting & Work Ethic

Whether it’s winning a major tournament or improving individual skills, school kids can learn the importance of setting short-term and long-term goals after watching the Matildas. Goal setting not only gives your child motivation but also helps them stay focused and track their progress while helping them learn the importance of having a strong work ethic. It’s no secret that the road to the World Cup is paved with countless hours of hard work, training and overcoming obstacles. Whether it’s studying for exams or pursuing a hobby, young athletes can learn that hard work and staying disciplined are key ingredients in achieving success, both on and off the field

If you’re looking for ways to help your student athlete set and achieve their goals this term, check out our blog on Goal Setting For Young Athletes.

Perseverance & Resilience

One of the most significant lessons the Matildas can teach school kids is the importance of perseverance and resilience. The Matildas have faced their fair share of challenges and setbacks but they have never given up. Instead, the team trained harder, worked on their weaknesses and kept pushing forward.

Whether it’s sports or academics, this teaches kids that achieving excellence requires dedication and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Although the Matildas didn’t make it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 grand final, this is a great opportunity for school kids to learn that success often comes to those who never give up on their dreams, no matter how difficult the path may be.

Teamwork

Like most TAS sports, football is a team sport that shows the power of how working together and supporting one another can lead to remarkable achievements. Just like the classroom, a football team is a safe space where students can communicate, build trust and respect each other’s contributions in achieving common goals.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Matildas are paving the way for girls in sport as they represent a diverse group of women from various backgrounds, races and ethnicities. In the Australian women’s team you’ll find young players, experienced players, Indigenous players and a hearing-impaired player. This gives school kids the opportunity to celebrate people’s differences, see how everyone can come together to achieve greatness and that it’s possible for anyone to play at an elite level. To find out more about why it’s important to get your girls involved in sport, check out our blog on Inspiring The Next Gen of Female Athletes.

The Matildas have taught our young athletes that believing in yourself and your abilities is essential for success. The Matildas are not just inspiring athletes, they are role models who teach valuable life lessons to everyone, everywhere. There are really only a few times in sporting history when such a big momentum builds around an event that it can actually change how we see the world. This success has even inspired the Queensland Government who have agreed to provide a $37 million funding injection to support women and girls’ sport and active recreation. From perseverance and teamwork to diversity and work ethic, there are countless ways in which students can learn from the Matildas that go beyond the soccer field.

We can’t wait for the 2024 TAS Girls Football season, which will kick off in late January!